By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
Sierra Leone's senior men's team(Leone Stars) aspiration to progress to the round of sixteen of the 2021-TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations came to an abrupt end on Thursday evening at the Omnisports stadium in Limbe after bowing 1-0 to their Group-E opponent Equatorial Guinea in their crunch clash.
Sierra Leone needed at least a draw against Equatorial Guinea to book a ticket to the tournament’s round of sixteen but the team guided by John Edward Keister as Head coach easily succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in the hands of Coach Juan Micha Obiang Bicogo’s men.
It was in the 38th minute when midfielder Palblo Ganet capitalized from a disorganized Leone Stars defense and slotted the ball past Sierra Leone’s youngster goalkeeper Mohamed Nbalie Kamara to put his side in front.
After that goal, the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone Stars picked up their shape and made several attempts to level the score but the Nzalang Nacional endured the pressure and protected their lead.
After 70 minutes, winger Issa Kallon was introduced in the match while defender Kelvin Wright was withdrawn. Issa wasted no time but made his presence felt when he dismantled the Equatorial Guinea defense en route to level matters for his country but he was tackled from the back and Sierra Leone was awarded a penalty in the 45th minute after his foul was noticed but ace Leone Stars forward gave away the golden chance to have restored parity for his country after his penalty kick was blocked by Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper Jesus Lazaro Owono Ngua.
Scoring chances were eventually created by the two teams but neither side failed to score which sealed Equatorial Guinea victory letting them progress to the continental showpiece round of sixteen with six points along with Group-E leaders Ivory Coast-(7) that had also defeated their Algerian counterpart 3-1.
However, it was AFCON debutant Comoros(3) that qualified to the round of sixteen ahead of Sierra Leone who would have earned the said spot as one of the four best losers had they secured a draw in their Thursday encounter with Equatorial Guinea.
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